by Christine Hammond on November 27, 2017
It took a while for Matt to realize what was going on with his daughter, Nancy. By 26 years old, Nancy graduated from college, secured a good job, and purchased her first home. She was intelligent, beautiful, talented, and resourceful. So when she met John, who on the surface seemed to match her characteristics, Matt… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on November 27, 2017
At 45 years old, Brian did not know who he was or what he wanted. From the outside looking in, he seemed to have it all: money, family, career, and friends. But in reality, life was very different. He managed to have a successful career at a job he did not like. His 20-year abusive… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on November 27, 2017
As soon as Tracey could get away, she ran. It took nearly all night to find the right moment when her date had finally fallen sufficiently asleep that she could remove his arm off her body. She silently grabbed her clothes from around the room, putting on enough items to leave the apartment. Carefully, she… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 31, 2017
As I was headed towards a parking lot after leaving a downtown office, I witnessed a woman be struck by a pick-up truck no more than 10 feet in front of me. She walked onto on-coming traffic on a road with a speed limit of 40 mph. The driver did not expect her to be… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
A bruise is not a requirement for proof of abusive behavior. There are many other ways a person can be abused. Abuse can be manipulation, exploitation, maltreatment, neglect, violence, cruelty, harm, hurt, ill-treatment, and exploitive. The seven ways it is manifested are physical, mental, verbal, emotional, financial, sexual, and spiritual. The following list is not… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
One of the many consequences of abusive behavior is a change in the victim’s thinking patterns. After years of badgering, the victim finally adopts the abuser’s distorted reasoning. In many cases, the victim does not become an abuser. Rather, as they attempt to minimize further abuse, their survivor instincts take over in anticipation of the… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
The 1800’s nursery rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is not true for most people. Some people do have the natural ability to emotionally disconnect when being insulted. (They usually struggle with being emotionally engaged in pleasant circumstances as well.) For everyone else, words have meaning and… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Too much attention is given to narcissistic behavior with little consideration offered to the victims of it. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is clearly defined in the DSM-5. Many subtypes have been offered, books were written and seminars were taught. But what about the abuse some victims have suffered? Several names have been tossed around to… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
Forgiveness is often prescribed as a remedy for healing from a traumatic experience. It is a very effective tool in bringing closure. Instead of remaining a victim, the offended person can regain control over trauma by choosing a forgiving response. In many ways, this destroys the offender’s influence over the life of another and reinforces… (more…)
by Christine Hammond on October 12, 2017
I must admit that when my friend shared she had cancer, it evoked vast amounts of fear mostly because my understanding was lacking in this area. But now with the advancement of many medications, surgical procedures, types of chemotherapy or radiation, various treatment options, and many cases of cancer survivors, many forms of cancer are… (more…)